Questions

Just come talk to us, we love to talk jitsu, and your first session or so is free

I have never done martial arts before, are there beginners’ courses?

Beginners are welcome at any time, sessions are open to all! Just come along and say hi whether you are a complete beginner, have done other martial arts or are returning TJJF grade.

Japanese Jiu Jitsu: Japanese Jiu Jitsu, also known as Jujutsu or jitsu, is a traditional Japanese martial art that dates back to the feudal era. It is a comprehensive combat system that emphasizes joint locks, throws, strikes, and grappling techniques to neutralize an opponent. The art was developed for samurai to defend themselves in situations where weapons were ineffective or not allowed. It focuses on using an opponent’s energy against them, allowing a smaller individual to defeat a larger adversary through skill and technique.

Differences between Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Judo: While Japanese Jiu Jitsu is the ancestral art from which Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Judo evolved, there are distinct differences between them. BJJ primarily focuses on ground fighting and submission grappling, often in a sports context, whereas Japanese Jiu Jitsu includes a wider range of techniques, including striking and weapon defences, typically from a self-defence perspective. Judo, on the other hand, specializes in throws and has become a competitive sport with its own set of rules and scoring system.

Effectiveness of Japanese Jiu Jitsu for self-defense: Japanese Jiu Jitsu is considered highly effective for self-defence due to its diverse set of techniques that address various combat scenarios. It teaches practitioners to use leverage and techniques to control or incapacitate an attacker, making it suitable for real-life self-defence situations. The art includes strikes, throws, joint locks, and ground control, providing a well-rounded approach to personal protection.

Physical and mental benefits of practising Japanese Jiu Jitsu: Practicing Japanese Jiu Jitsu offers numerous physical benefits, such as improved strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and overall conditioning. Mentally, it fosters discipline, focus, and resilience. The rigorous training helps reduce stress, enhance emotional well-being, and build confidence. As a result, practitioners often experience personal growth and an improved ability to handle life’s challenges.

Starting Japanese Jiu Jitsu for beginners: Beginners should expect to learn the basics of stance, movement, falling safely, and fundamental techniques. It’s common to feel overwhelmed at first, but with consistent practice, the movements become more natural. Most dojos offer beginner-friendly classes that gradually introduce the art’s complexities.

Typical Japanese Jiu Jitsu class structure: A typical Japanese Jiu Jitsu class usually begins with a warm-up, followed by instruction and practice of specific techniques. Students then partner up to drill these techniques under the guidance of the instructor. Classes often include a question-and-answer session to address any difficulties students may have. Sparring or randori may conclude the class, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in a controlled environment.

Belt ranks and progression in Japanese Jiu Jitsu: The belt ranking system in Japanese Jiu Jitsu serves as a marker of a practitioner’s experience and skill level. It typically starts with white and progresses through a series of colours, including yellow, orange, green, purple, light blue, dark Blue, and brown, before reaching the coveted black belt. Each belt level represents a milestone in the practitioner’s journey, reflecting their technical proficiency and understanding of the art.

Equipment needed for Japanese Jiu Jitsu training: Essential equipment for Japanese Jiu Jitsu training includes a gi (kimono), which is the traditional uniform, and a belt that indicates rank. For no-gi training, practitioners wear a rash guard and grappling shorts or spats. Additional protective gear like mouthguards may be used.

Improving mental resilience through Japanese Jiu Jitsu training: Training in Japanese Jiu Jitsu can significantly improve mental resilience. The art teaches practitioners to remain calm under pressure, adapt to changing situations, and overcome adversity. These skills translate beyond the mat, helping individuals to develop a resilient mindset that can handle life’s challenges with greater ease and confidence.

Philosophy behind Japanese Jiu Jitsu: The philosophy of Japanese Jiu Jitsu is rooted in the principle of “yielding,” where the idea is to use an opponent’s force against them rather than confronting it with one’s own force. This philosophy extends to the moral code of practitioners, emphasizing respect, humility, and the pursuit of self-mastery. It aligns with the Buddhist values of non-harm and enlightenment, reflecting the art’s historical origins.

What should I wear/bring?

Wear loose clothes like tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt and make sure you bring a water bottle, we get hot and bounce around a lot. No jewellery or wristbands, please.

Does it hurt?

Jitsu is a sport, like all sports, pain is involved, but we train in an extremely safe and progressive environment where injuries are very rare and we only push you to your limits, no further. We also have first aiders in the clubs.

Can I do it?

Yes, we don’t care who you are, while jitsu can look brutal, and it can be, it uses the attacker’s energy to our advantage. We will teach you many different techniques to defend yourself from a range of attacks, then you can pick and choose your favourites as they work for you.

Is it fun?

Yes, we like to think so, but it does depend on your idea of fun. Come try it for free, and if you don’t like it, at least then you know that and hopefully in those two hours you will have learnt a little.

Does it cost a lot and where do my monies go?

We think we are the cheapest martial arts in the area, please let us know if we are not. This doesn’t mean we are rubbish, we just don’t have the overheads of other clubs. We don’t have to pay for the room hire and the instructors teach for love not money. The Jitsu Foundation is also a ‘not for profit’ organisation and only has a couple of staff so we are well set to teach quality systems for little cost. Your monies go to insurance, upkeep of the small amount of equipment we have and sponsoring you in any events we go to.

For more information on our costs and fees, check our specific page here

I’m not a student, can I train with you?

The club is open to all those over 16, so yes, please come down and have a chat.

I have a disability, can I train?

Yes, within your limits, we will do our very best to help you learn what you can in a safe, practical and personal way.

What do I gain from this martial art?

Skill, confidence, leadership, self-awareness, the list can go on, but the longer you do it, the more you will change, people will see the change in your posture and attitude in your normal life and you will start to look like someone who is confident and knows how to handle themselves, massively reducing the chances of an altercation in the first place, which is the best thing for everyone.

What’s a session like?

It’s best to arrive 10 minutes before the session starts, to change and have a chat with everyone. We begin with a warm-up (some cardio and strength training), and then some falling practice (learning how to roll around and fall from a throw safely). In the main session, the instructor demonstrates a technique, and we pair up to practice together, then more demonstrations, more practice, and so on. Usually, there is some pressure testing at the end, to see how well we can apply what we’ve learned. We then retire to the pub.

Do I need to train every day?

Please don’t train at Jitsu every day, twice a week is fine, three times a week is keen and once a week will get you started if that is all you can do, but like all sports, if you want to see significant improvement 4 hours (2 sessions) a week is perfect.

How long does it take to get a black belt?

To start with you can grade every three months or so, but you need to be good enough to pass, we do not give you a new belt because you turned up to a grading. If you are good enough to pass each grading in the shortest time period you could get your black belt in about 3-4 years, but most people are happy not to rush this process.

Do I need to buy the kit and insurance?

You can get away with two weeks without our annual £30 insurance policy, after this time you will need to pay this to train. The Gi or uniform is the only other thing you will need and you can train without one until your first grading which takes about 3 months to get to. We do advise you to get one ASAP just so that your clothes don’t get damaged in training. The Gi should last around 5 to 10 years at least.

Is there a social aspect to the club?

Oh yes, going for a drink after training is almost compulsory, we spend two hours trying our best to knock each other out, it is only fair to go to the pub for a nice chat and a hug afterwards. We also like to have separate social events both within the club, in the southeast region and nationally.

Are you part of a larger organisation?

Yes, we are part of The Jitsu Foundation with clubs all over the world, we are a very large organisation. Just in the Brighton area, we are lucky to have two clubs and five instructors to teach you all sorts of different aspects of the art, the more instructors you can have the broader and better your skills will become.

Are you on socials?

you can find links at the top of every page